Jorgen Sandman’s extraordinary life in cue sports begins far from the bright lights of world championships and Olympic committees. In this opening episode of Legends of the Cue, Jorgen takes us back to Sundsvall, Sweden, where a childhood shaped by ice hockey, discipline, outdoor play, and multi-sport development laid the foundation for a lifetime in pool, billiards, coaching, and sports leadership.

Jorgen recalls learning to skate before he could walk, being taught fundamentals before being allowed near a puck, and later carrying those same lessons into cue sports. Alongside Allison Fisher, Mark Wilson, and Michael Gonzalez, he explores why early sport specialization can limit young athletes and why the world’s best competitors often benefit from a broad athletic background.

The story then shifts to 1968, when a young Jorgen first encountered billiards while watching his uncle play in Stockholm. What began with laughter, missed balls, and a humbling first attempt soon became a lifelong calling. Back home, Jorgen found his way into a local billiard club, a basement room with coin-operated table lights, strong carom influences, and a mentor, Rolf Larsson, who would change the course of his life.

This episode also touches on Sweden’s pioneering role in putting pool tables into schools, Jorgen’s early exposure to players and entertainers like Paul Gerni and Jimmy Caras, and the first signs of the teacher, promoter, and organizer he would become.

A rich origin story for anyone interested in pool history, billiards culture, Swedish pool, youth sports development, or the roots of modern cue sports governance.

Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text.

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Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on:

Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1

Music by Lyrium.

About

"Legends of the Cue" is a cue sports history podcast featuring interviews with Hall of Fame members, world champions, and influential figures from across the world of cue sports—including pocket billiards, snooker, and carom disciplines such as three-cushion billiards. We highlight the people, places, and moments that have shaped the game—celebrating iconic players, memorable events, historic venues, and the brands that helped define generations of play. With a focus on the positive spirit of the sport, our goal is to create a rich, engaging, and timeless archive of stories that fans can enjoy now and for years to come.

Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher and Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, Legends of the Cue brings these stories to life—told in the voices of the game’s greatest figures.

Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

In the final chapter of our conversation on Legends of the Cue, Jeanette “The Black Widow” Lee reflects on legacy, recognition, and what it all means after a life spent chasing excellence in pool. This episode shifts from the climb to the view from the top, as Jeanette shares her reaction to receiving the sport’s highest honors: induction into the WPBA and the Billiard Congress of America Halls of Fame.

She talks about what that moment meant to her personally, how she viewed the road that got her there, and the people and experiences that shaped her along the way. The conversation also explores the business side of her career, including the promotional instincts, league involvement, and long-term vision that helped her think beyond tournament wins and losses. Jeanette was never just playing matches — she was helping expand the reach of the game.

What makes this episode especially powerful is its reflective quality. Jeanette looks back on the coaches, mentors, competitors, and turning points that influenced her growth, while also speaking candidly about how she hopes to be remembered. There is gratitude here, but also honesty, humor, and the unmistakable fire that made her such a singular force in pool.

This closing episode is more than a look back at trophies and titles. It is about impact. Jeanette Lee changed how pool was seen, who it reached, and what a female star in cue sports could become. For longtime fans and new listeners alike, this is a fitting conclusion to an extraordinary conversation with one of the most important figures in billiards history.

Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text.

Support the show

Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on:

Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1

Music by Lyrium.

About

"Legends of the Cue" is a cue sports history podcast featuring interviews with Hall of Fame members, world champions, and influential figures from across the world of cue sports—including pocket billiards, snooker, and carom disciplines such as three-cushion billiards. We highlight the people, places, and moments that have shaped the game—celebrating iconic players, memorable events, historic venues, and the brands that helped define generations of play. With a focus on the positive spirit of the sport, our goal is to create a rich, engaging, and timeless archive of stories that fans can enjoy now and for years to come.

Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher and Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, Legends of the Cue brings these stories to life—told in the voices of the game’s greatest figures.

Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

In this penultimate episode of her Legends of the Cue interview, Jeanette Lee shares the stories that transformed her from champion pool player into one of the most famous figures in cue sports history. The conversation begins with her unforgettable trip to the Philippines to play Efren Reyes, a match that became far more than a contest. Jeanette talks about meeting her idol on his home turf, seeing firsthand the conditions that shaped one of the greatest players of all time, and realizing just how deeply pool could connect people across cultures.

That experience also gave Jeanette one of her first true glimpses of her own international fame. Away from the familiar tournament trail in the United States, she encountered a level of fan passion and recognition that opened her eyes to how large her name had become. It is a fascinating look at the difference between being a successful player and becoming a global symbol for the sport.

From there, Jeanette reflects on image, branding, and the complicated perception that followed her throughout her career. She addresses the idea that she wanted fame more than greatness, and explains in her own words why being the best player she could be always mattered most. She also revisits the development of “The Black Widow” persona, how that identity took hold, and why her rise felt so meteoric at the time.

This episode blends pool history, personal honesty, and behind-the-scenes storytelling in a way only Jeanette can. If you’ve ever wondered how a world-class competitor became a household name in billiards, this is the chapter that tells the story.

Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text.

Support the show

Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on:

Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1

Music by Lyrium.

About

"Legends of the Cue" is a cue sports history podcast featuring interviews with Hall of Fame members, world champions, and influential figures from across the world of cue sports—including pocket billiards, snooker, and carom disciplines such as three-cushion billiards. We highlight the people, places, and moments that have shaped the game—celebrating iconic players, memorable events, historic venues, and the brands that helped define generations of play. With a focus on the positive spirit of the sport, our goal is to create a rich, engaging, and timeless archive of stories that fans can enjoy now and for years to come.

Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher and Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, Legends of the Cue brings these stories to life—told in the voices of the game’s greatest figures.

Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”